Sony Xperia 10 III vs Motorola Edge 30 Neo: A Detailed Comparison

The Sony Xperia 10 III and Motorola Edge 30 Neo represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim for affordability, they take distinctly different approaches. The Xperia 10 III prioritizes endurance and a more traditional Sony experience, while the Edge 30 Neo focuses on a brighter display and significantly faster charging speeds. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing convenience and a vibrant viewing experience, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo is the better choice. Its 68W charging and substantially brighter 1004-nit display outweigh the Xperia 10 III’s superior battery endurance, especially given the relatively small difference in overall runtime.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 10 III Motorola Edge 30 Neo
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43
5G bands1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, April 142022, September 08
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 11Available. Released 2022, October 07
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic frameGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions154 x 68 x 8.3 mm (6.06 x 2.68 x 0.33 in)152.9 x 71.2 x 7.8 mm (6.02 x 2.80 x 0.31 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight169 g (5.96 oz)155 g (5.47 oz)
 IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)Splash and dust resistant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6-
Resolution1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~457 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~419 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.28 inches, 95.2 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDRP-OLED, 120Hz
 Triluminos display-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 619
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13Android 12, planned upgrade to Android 15
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS-
Main Camera
Dual-64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, AF
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple12 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.8", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 54mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0"-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30/60/120fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0"32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.0", 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio -
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radio (region dependent)No
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, Display PortUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging21W wired (unofficial rating), PD, QC68W wired 5W wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4020 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Blue, PinkVery Peri, Black Onyx, Ice Palace, Aqua Foam
ModelsSO-52B, SOG04, XQ-BT52, A102SOXT2245-1
PriceAbout 300 EUR€ 156.44 / $ 185.00 / £ 229.00
Tests
Battery lifeEndurance rating 137h Endurance rating 104h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.2 LUFS (Average) -26.4 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 286216 (v8) GeekBench: 1738 (v5.1) GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 380818 (v9) GeekBench: 1964 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 10 III

  • Exceptional battery endurance (137h rating)
  • More understated and classic Sony design
  • Potentially more durable build quality (based on Sony's reputation)

  • Dimmer display makes outdoor visibility challenging
  • Slow charging speed (21W)
  • Older chipset architecture

Motorola Edge 30 Neo

  • Significantly brighter display (1004 nits)
  • Ultra-fast 68W wired charging
  • More efficient Snapdragon 695 5G chipset

  • Shorter battery endurance (104h rating)
  • Wireless charging is slow at 5W
  • Motorola's software update track record is less consistent than Sony's

Display Comparison

The most immediately noticeable difference lies in the displays. The Motorola Edge 30 Neo boasts a significantly brighter panel, reaching a measured 1004 nits, compared to the Xperia 10 III’s 559 nits. This translates to vastly improved visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. Both displays share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting standard OLED characteristics. While neither phone specifies advanced panel technology like LTPO, the Edge 30 Neo’s brightness advantage is a clear win for users who consume a lot of content on the go. The Xperia 10 III’s dimmer screen may require users to seek shade or increase brightness, impacting battery life.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed specifications are limited in the provided data. Both are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities. Without sensor size or megapixel counts, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, given Motorola’s recent focus on camera improvements, and the Edge 30 Neo’s overall more modern feature set, it’s reasonable to assume a slight advantage in image processing and potentially low-light performance. The absence of detail regarding optical image stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization.

Performance

Both devices utilize Qualcomm Snapdragon 6-series chipsets, but with key architectural differences. The Edge 30 Neo’s Snapdragon 695 5G, built on a more efficient 6nm process, offers a slight CPU performance edge with its 2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold cores versus the Xperia 10 III’s 2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold cores. While both feature an octa-core configuration with similar Kryo Silver efficiency cores, the 6nm node of the 695 should result in better thermal management and potentially sustained performance during prolonged tasks. However, the real-world performance difference will likely be subtle for everyday use; neither phone is positioned as a gaming powerhouse.

Battery Life

The Sony Xperia 10 III claims a superior endurance rating of 137 hours, compared to the Edge 30 Neo’s 104 hours. This suggests the Xperia 10 III will last longer on a single charge under typical usage. However, the Edge 30 Neo compensates with a dramatically faster 68W wired charging capability, allowing for a full charge in a fraction of the time compared to the Xperia 10 III’s unofficial 21W rating. The Edge 30 Neo also adds 5W wireless charging, a feature absent on the Xperia 10 III. The trade-off is clear: longer runtime versus significantly faster replenishment.

Buying Guide

Buy the Sony Xperia 10 III if you absolutely need the longest possible battery life between charges and value a more understated design. This phone is ideal for users who frequently travel or are away from power outlets for extended periods. Buy the Motorola Edge 30 Neo if you prioritize a bright, vivid display for media consumption and appreciate the convenience of incredibly fast charging – perfect for users who want to quickly top up their phone throughout the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in the Edge 30 Neo get noticeably warmer than the Snapdragon 690 in the Xperia 10 III during extended gaming sessions?
While both chipsets are efficient, the Snapdragon 695’s 6nm process should theoretically result in better thermal management. However, neither phone is designed for intensive gaming. Expect moderate warmth during prolonged gaming on both devices, but the Edge 30 Neo is likely to maintain slightly more consistent performance due to its more efficient architecture.
❓ How much faster is the 68W charging on the Edge 30 Neo compared to the 21W charging on the Xperia 10 III in real-world usage?
The difference is substantial. The Edge 30 Neo can likely charge from 0-100% in around 45-60 minutes, while the Xperia 10 III will take over 2 hours. This means you can quickly top up the Edge 30 Neo during a short break, whereas the Xperia 10 III requires a much longer charging period.
❓ Is the lack of OIS on either phone a significant drawback for video recording?
Without OIS, video recording will be more susceptible to shakiness, especially in low light. Both phones rely on electronic image stabilization (EIS), which can help, but it's not as effective as dedicated hardware stabilization. Casual video recording will be acceptable, but serious videographers may find the lack of OIS limiting.